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Educator Safety Task Force
Education & Public Safety

Educator Safety Task Force

Completed · June 2025
cdpsdocs.state.co.us ↗
Educator Voices & Survey Findings Meeting Materials Reports & Publications
This project is complete. The ESTF published its Roadmap for Action in June 2025, including 59 recommendations across five stakeholder roadmaps.
Download Final Report
1,100+
Educators and school staff surveyed across Colorado
74.5%
Reported a student attempted to physically injure them or a colleague
50.1%
Reported being physically injured by a student, with many reporting multiple incidents
59
Action recommendations across five stakeholder roadmaps
Educator Voices
What Colorado educators said.
1,140
survey responses
100+
written stories
12
video testimonials
Video
ESTF member interviews: compiled educator and staff testimonials
Colorado Office of School Safety · Produced by Confluence PSG
Audio Comment
"I'm waiting to have surgery for a torn ligament from a student injury in December. It's just accepted that our special ed students will aggress us."
Paraprofessional · Suburban district · 6–10 years in education
Written Story
The district's response was quite alarming. Students are starting to hit teachers more and more. The district's response has been "that's part of the job." When we ask for help from our Behavior team they tell us "that's not our job."
Middle school teacher · Urban district · More than 10 years in education
Written Story
"I have been hit more than 500 times. My special education team members are helpful and supportive. I do not feel supported by my administration or district."
Special education teacher · Suburban district
Written Story
"Admin said it was my fault for not getting out of the way in time. I was discouraged from seeking medical attention that would have entitled me to workers' comp."
Middle school teacher · Urban district · More than 10 years
Written Story
"Not supported at all. HR and the Union both agreed I was in the right to take the phone. The only one who got a consequence was me — the victim."
High school teacher · Urban district
View all educator submissions →
These voices shaped 59 specific recommendations in the ESTF Roadmap for Action.
Survey conducted and facilitated by Confluence Policy & Strategy Group · September 2024 – June 2025
Read the Roadmap →
Survey Findings
What the data showed

The ESTF survey, conducted by Confluence PSG across Colorado's educator and school staff workforce, produced findings that contradicted prior limited data suggesting only isolated incidents. Results were analyzed by the full Task Force and informed each of the five stakeholder roadmaps.

Incidents of physical violence toward staff
e.g. 1,140 respondents · ESTF Educator Survey, 2024–2025
Student attempted to injure staff
74.5%
74.5%
Staff physically injured by student
50.1%
50.1%
Felt fully supported after incident
28%
28%

These findings were in stark contrast to the limited data previously available and align with APA research showing increased incidents of violent behavior since the post-COVID return to in-person learning. With 982 respondents to the injury question, 50.1% represents 732 educators and school staff reporting having been physically injured by a student.

Who responded: respondent profile
Significant alignment with Colorado's educator workforce composition
Role
Teachers
57%
57%
Paraprofessionals
12%
12%
Administrators
9%
9%
Counselors & others
22%
22%
Geography
Suburban
59%
59%
Urban
25%
25%
Rural
15%
15%
Small Rural
5%
5%
Key themes from open-ended responses
What was missing
  • Consistent consequences for aggressive student behavior
  • Administrative acknowledgment and follow-up after incidents
  • Mental health support for staff after traumatic incidents
  • Clear guidance on workers' comp and medical care
What was working
  • Strong peer and team support within special education
  • CPI / NCI training where consistently implemented
  • Crisis response teams and behavioral intervention plans
  • Building-level administrators who responded with empathy
Reports & Publications
ESTF Roadmap for Action (Full Report) Roadmap for Educators & School Staff Roadmap for Building Leaders Roadmap for District Leaders ESTF Educator Survey Results
Task Force Members
Christine Harms
Chair · Director, Colorado Office of School Safety
Susana Córdova
Commissioner of Education
Luke Yoder
Certified Restorative Justice Professional
Marsia Ronyak
Teacher, suburban district
Jamie Montoya-De Smidt
Educational support professional
Susan Rayburn
Teacher, urban district
Melissa Mahlke
Teacher, rural district
Facilitated by
Confluence PSG
Survey designed and conducted. Monthly meetings facilitated from September 2024 through June 2025. Subcommittee coordination and final report production.
confluencepsg.com ↗